Catherine Ellis Beckford

Catherine Ellis Beckford was born on 12/20/31 to Nathaniel and Catherine Ellis in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. She was the sister to Ozzie Ellis, Idolly Ellis, Mabel Ellis, James Ellis and William Ellis. The wife to Rufus Beckford. The mother to Donald Beckford, Marcia Beckford and Monica Beckford. The grandmother to Eric Beckford, Christopher Beckford, Donald Beckford, Jr., Robert Beckford, Alycia Beckford. The step mother to Sandra, Carlton, Cynthia, Sylvia and Barbara. Step grandmother to Erik, Camille, Michelle, Darren, Zelda, Ian, Richard and Dylan. She has eight great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was the partner to Ed Godfrey for over 20 years.

Catherine loved to clean and would hum as she cleaned the house. She enjoyed cleaning so much that she worked for many years in the housekeeping department of New York Hospital. She enjoyed dressing up to go to this job. She told the tale of co-workers asking her why she dressed up to come to work as if 'her caca don't stink'. She said that she was happy to work at the Hospital. Catherine won awards as a volunteer while she attended various senior centers. Catherine loved music, reading and watching Spanish novelas. She loved to draw birds with people eyes.

Catherine loved her parents. She talked about her mother allowing her to carry the basket full of carefully arranged fruits and vegetables. She talked about the excitement of her father taking her on a dory to his garden and returning in what she thought was a sinking vessel full of produce.

Catherine loved her husband Rufus. She called him as smooth a talker as Nat King Cole and very good bolero dancer.

In later years she would meet her childhood friend, Ed and was with him for 20 years. She called him a kind man.

Catherine loved her children and was especially happy that she was able to get them into the United States. She often called them from work just to say how much she loved them. Her grand children Robert, Alycia, Eric, Donny, Chistopher were her special joy. She was especially loved by her nieces Elena and 'Chiqui.'

Livestream funeral service will be Sunday, February 7, 2021 at 4:00 PM. Attendance will be virtual only. There will be no in-person attendance. Please join us via the link below.